The Frequently Asked Questions for our Undergraduate programs can be found below. Click on a link below to skip to specific program FAQs.

Early Childhood and Family Studies (ECFS) FAQs

Education, Communities, and Organizations (ECO) FAQs

Early Care & Education (ECE) FAQs

Education, Learning & Society FAQs

Registration FAQs 

Teacher Education FAQs   

Information Sessions   

Early Childhood and Family Studies (ECFS) FAQs 

What is this major?

The Early Childhood and Family Studies major is designed to give students the opportunity to study the fields of early childhood development, early learning, and family studies from a variety of perspectives. Students will take coursework that is specifically developed for the major, as well as electives offered by the College of Education. Students may enter the major during their freshman, sophomore, or in the first quarter of their junior year, and may begin participating in fieldwork and/or research each quarter during their Junior and Senior years.

This major leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Am I eligible to apply to the ECFS major?

ECFS applicants must have completed ECFS 200 with a 2.0 or higher.  Applicants must also have completed an English composition course with a 2.0 or higher.  Students may apply to the major if they are currently enrolled in the prerequisite courses (ECFS 200 and an English composition course), however, they will be admitted provisionally to the major on the condition they pass the prerequisite course(s) with a 2.0 or higher and do not receive a satisfactory/non satisfactory (S/NS) grade.

Where is the ECFS application?
The ECFS application can be found on the Apply Now page on the ECFS webpage. This page also provides helpful information for applicants.
When can I apply to the ECFS major?
The ECFS application for winter quarter admission to the major opens September 1 and closes October 15.  The ECFS application for spring quarter admission to the major opens March 1 and closes April 15.
Can you help me with my personal statement?
Due to time constraints and fairness, advisers cannot review personal statements. If you have general questions about what is required in the personal statement, please attend a general information or “Ask an Undergrad Adviser” session.  We also encourage applicants to visit the Odegaard Writing & Research Center for additional support.
When will I find out if I made it  into the ECFS major?
Applicants can expect to hear back about their application approximately 2-4 weeks after the application deadline closes.   Applicants will learn of their decision via email.
If I don’t get into the ECFS major, can I reapply?
Yes. If you are denied admission you will receive an email with an invitation to meet with an admissions adviser to go over your application.  During this meeting students can ask questions and work with the adviser on their next steps.
Can I apply to both the ECFS and ECO majors?
Because students cannot major in both ECFS and ECO, we highly recommend applicants research each of the majors and determine which is the best fit for their goals and apply to only one major per application cycle.
Can I take ECFS 200 at another school?
No.  ECFS 200 can only be taken at UW Seattle.  There are no transfer courses that will meet this requirement.
Can I take an English composition course at another school?
Yes.  Applicants may use an English composition course they took at a transfer school as long as they received a 2.0 or above.
Can I take only online courses?  Can I take courses around my schedule?
The ECFS major is a traditional on campus major. Majors should expect to attend the majority of their courses on campus Monday through Friday between the hours of 8am and 5pm.  We cannot accommodate individual schedules.  The College of Education does offer a fully online major.  For more information please visit the Early Care & Education page.
How long will it take me to graduate from the ECFS major?  Can I graduate early?
Each individual student’s situation is different, however, it is important to be aware that both of the ECFS major’s tracks (Core and Teaching & Learning) require two years to complete. It will take a minimum of 6 quarters to complete the ECFS major. Core track students may have the chance to graduate winter quarter of their final year, while Teaching & Learning track students will graduate spring quarter of their final year.
Will I graduate with my teaching credential?
No.  ECFS majors do not receive a teaching credential when they complete their BA degree. Students who wish to teach can earn their credential, most likely through a Master in Teaching program, after they finish their undergraduate work. 
I’m not currently in the ECFS major. Which courses should I take?
Many of the ECFS major requirement courses are closed to nonmajors. Because of this we recommend that those not yet in the major focus on major electives which are open to nonmajors.  Occasionally our major courses will open up to non majors. To learn of seat openings in those courses, please sign up for NotifyUW. Please note, we cannot overload a course.  Please DO NOT contact instructors for seats. We do not keep waitlists or add codes.
I’m a transfer student. Is there a special process for me?
We encourage transfer students who are interested in the major to note on their UW general   transfer application that ECFS is their intended major. This does not guarantee admission into the ECFS major, but it does guarantee you a seat in ECFS 200, the ECFS major’s prerequisite course.  Once admitted to the UW you will follow the same application process as current on campus students.
Is there a fieldwork (service-learning, practicum) requirement? And how would I arrange for that?
Yes, the major requires students to complete service-learning as a part of the program. Details on these experiences and requirements can be found on the Service-Learning webpage.
The Early Childhood and Family Studies major works with the assistance of the Carlson Leadership and Public Service Center to help students in locating fieldwork placements, contacting the location, and creating a schedule. Service-learning placements will be finalized in the second week of each quarter. Students will be expected to be at their fieldwork placements 3-5 hours per week. Details can be found on the Service-Learning webpage 
What jobs are available for people who graduate with this major?
A bachelor's degree with a major in ECFS prepares students for positions in social service agencies/mental health, early learning programs, child care centers, parent and family support programs and research
Will I able able to get into gradaute school with this major?
An ECFS undergraduate major may also serve as a pathway for students interested in graduate studies in education, speech and hearing sciences, occupational therapy, special education, nutrition, psychology, social work and other related fields. Students who plan to go to graduate school should obtain graduate school admissions requirements relevant to their proposed field of study. ECFS academic advisers serve as a resource for students to help identify an effective strategy to gain admission to a graduate program.
Where can I find more information?
We host weekly online general information and “Ask an Undergrad Adviser” sessions.  For general information about the College of Education’s on campus majors and our minor, please attend a general information session. For specific questions, please attend an “Ask and Adviser” session.  For session dates, please visit the College of Education calendar.

Education, Communities, and Organizations (ECO) FAQs 

Am I eligible to apply to the ECO major?

ECO applicants must have completed EDUC 280 with a 2.0 or higher.  Applicants must also have completed an English composition course with a 2.5 or higher.  Students may apply to the major if they are currently enrolled in the prerequisite courses (EDUC 280 and an English composition course), however, they will be admitted provisionally to the major on the condition they pass the prerequisite course(s) with the minimum required grade and do not receive a satisfactory/non satisfactory (S/NS) grade.  ECO applicants must also have a minimum of 45 quarterly credits.

How do I know if I have 45 quarterly credits?
We consider both in progress and completed credits. At the bottom of your current transcript you can see the amount of credits you currently have completed and in progress. Transfer credits are accepted and count towards the 45 required credits.
Where is the ECO application?
The ECO application can be found on the ECO Admissions page on the ECO webpage. This page also provides helpful information for applicants.
When can I apply to the ECO major?
The ECO application for winter quarter admission to the major opens September 1 and closes October 15.  The ECO application for spring quarter admission to the major opens March 1 and closes April 15.
Can you help me with my personal statement?
Due to time constraints and fairness, advisers cannot review personal statements. If you have general questions about what is required in the personal statement, please attend a general information or “Ask an Undergrad Adviser” session.  We also encourage applicants to visit the Odegaard Writing & Research Center for additional support.
When will I find out if I made it  into the ECO major?
Applicants can expect to hear back about their application approximately 2-4 weeks after the application deadline closes.   Applicants will learn of their decision via email.
If I don’t get into the ECO major, can I reapply?
Yes. If you are denied admission you will receive an email with an invitation to meet with an admissions adviser to go over your application.  During this meeting students can ask questions and work with the adviser on their next steps.
Can I apply to both the ECFS and ECO majors?
Because students cannot major in both ECFS and ECO, we highly recommend applicants research each of the majors and determine which is the best fit for their goals and apply to only one major per application cycle.
Can I take EDUC 280 at another school?
No.  EDUC 280 can only be taken at UW Seattle.  There are no transfer courses that will meet this requirement.
I can’t get into EDUC 280. Can you help?
Students interested in ECO must take EDUC 280.  To be considered for a seat in this course you must fill out a seat request form.  If you have had difficulty securing a seat in the course, please attend a general information or an “Ask an Undergrad Adviser” session for tips and strategies for joining the course.
Can I take an English composition course at another school?
Yes.  Applicants may use an English composition course they took at a transfer school as long as they received a 2.0 or above.
Can I take only online courses?  Can I take courses around my schedule?
The ECO major is a traditional on campus major. Majors should expect to attend the majority of their courses on campus Monday through Friday between the hours of 8am and 5pm.  We cannot accommodate individual schedules.  The College of Education does offer a fully online major.  For more information please visit the Early Care & Education page.
How long will it take me to graduate from the ECO major?  Can I graduate early?
Each individual student’s situation is different, however, it is important to be aware that the ECO major is a full two year major. It will take a minimum of 6 quarters to complete the ECO major. It is not possible to graduate from the major early.
Will I graduate with my teaching credential?
No.  ECO majors do not receive a teaching credential when they complete their BA degree. Students who wish to teach can earn their credential, most likely through a Master in Teaching program, after they finish their undergraduate work. 
I’m not currently in the ECO major. Which courses should I take?
Many of the ECO major requirement courses are closed to nonmajors. Because of this we recommend that those not yet in the major focus on major electives which are open to nonmajors.  Occasionally our major courses will open up to non majors. To learn of seat openings in those courses, please sign up for NotifyUW. Please note, we cannot overload a course.  Please DO NOT contact instructors for seats. We do not keep waitlists or add codes.
I’m a transfer student. Is there a special process for me?
We encourage transfer students who are interested in the major note on their UW general transfer application that ECO is their intended major. This does not guarantee admission into the ECO major, but it does guarantee you a seat in EDUC 280, the ECO major’s prerequisite course.  Once admitted to the UW you will follow the same application process as current on campus students.
Where can I find more information?
We host weekly online general information and “Ask an Undergrad Adviser” sessions.  For general information about the College of Education’s on campus majors and our minor, please attend a general information session. For specific questions, please attend an “Ask and Adviser” session.  For session dates, please visit the College of Education calendar.

Early Care & Education (ECE) FAQs 

Am I eligible to apply to the Early Care & Education (ECE)  major?

The ECE Degree Completion Program is open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and those residing in the United States who do not require an F-1 student visa.

To be considered for admission, you must have met the following requirements:

  • Completed a minimum of 45 transferable quarter credits from regionally accredited colleges or universities (1 semester credit is equivalent to 1.5 quarter credits)
  • Earned a cumulative transfer GPA of 2.0 or higher
  • If you have completed fewer than 40 transferable quarter credits at the time you submit your application, you will also need to complete the College Academic Distribution Requirements (UW admission requirements that can be satisfied by high school and/or college coursework). Please contact us at eceinfo@uw.edu if you have questions about this requirement.
Where is the ECE application?

You can find the ECE application on the Admissions page of the ECE website. This page also provides helpful information for applicants.

When can I apply to the ECE major?

You can apply to the ECE major for either Autumn or Spring quarter. The application for Spring opens in early October and closes January 15. The application for Autumn opens in late January, with a priority deadline of April 15 and a final deadline of July 15. 

Can you help me with my personal statement?

While we can’t review your personal statement, we are happy to answer any questions you have. You can reach out to the ECE Admissions & Outreach Adviser at eceinfo@uw.edu -- we are happy to talk about this with you! Other writing resources may include your community college or local library. For example, the King County Library’s Tutoring page and Purdue University’s Advice for Writing Application Essay page. 

When will I find out if I made it into the ECE major?

Spring applicants will be notified mid-February through early March. Autumn applicants will be notified June-August

If I don’t get into the ECE major, can I reapply?

Yes! We encourage you to connect with us before reapplying. We can help you to ensure that you are eligible to apply for the future.

Can I double major or have a minor if I am an ECE major?

No. Because you are admitted directly to the ECE major, you can only pursue the ECE major while you are enrolled at UW.

Can I take on-campus courses? 

The ECE major is fully online. While you may be able to take occasional on-campus classes, options are extremely limited. The College of Education does offer a fully on-campus major.  For more information please visit the Early Childhood & Family Studies page.

How long will it take me to graduate from the ECE major?  Can I graduate early?

Each individual student’s situation is different, however, it is important to be aware that ECE major requires two years to complete. It will take a minimum of 7 quarters to complete the ECE major. To graduate from the University of Washington, you must have a minimum of 180 quarterly credits.  How long it takes to graduate depends on a number of factors, including how many credits you are transferring in with and how many credits you take per quarter as an ECE student.

Will I graduate with my teaching credential?

No. ECE majors do not receive a teaching credential when they complete their BA degree. Students who wish to teach can earn their credential, most likely through a Master in Teaching program, after they finish their undergraduate work.  

I am currently taking classes at a community college and would like to transfer to the ECE Online program. Which courses should I take at my current school to make sure they will transfer?

To graduate from the University of Washington, you must have a minimum of 180 quarterly credits completed.  Students transferring to the UW are encouraged to take courses that will transfer and count towards UW’s general education credits.  Please note, the majority of your ECE major coursework must be completed within our program.  Most EDUC/ECE courses that transfer will count towards your general education requirements or general electives.

How will my courses transfer in?

In general, you should be able to transfer college-level academic credits for general education courses, which are described on the Undergraduate Advising General Education page, as well as many early childhood and education-related credits.  For more information about UW’s transfer requirements, including notable restrictions on transfer credit, please visit the UW Transfer Credit Policies page. 

Need help figuring out whether you qualify to apply?  Contact an admissions adviser at eceinfo@uw.edu to learn more about admissions requirements and how to request a transcript evaluation.

I have already earned a bachelor’s degree, may I apply?

Yes!  If you have already completed or will complete a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university prior to enrolling at UW, you are considered a post-baccalaureate applicant. Please select “Early Care & Education (Online) - Post-Bac” option when you fill out the online application form. 

As a “post-bac” you will only need to complete the ECE major coursework as your general education coursework will be taken care of with the credits from your original bachelor’s degree.

How much does the program cost?

Course fees for the ECE program are less than or comparable to those of many similar programs in Washington state, putting a valuable UW degree within reach.  Costs for the program’s 2022-2023 academic year are $231 per credit, but the total cost varies depending on how many transfer credits you have. Students also pay other required fees each quarter including registration, technology and U-PASS fees.  Costs for textbooks and other course materials are minimal, as most ECE courses do not require purchase of books or resources. The ECE program also requires the use of technology tools such as a device to record and edit video, join video calls, and participate in online courses. Many students are able to use smartphones, tablets and/or computers they already own.

Are financial aid and scholarships available?

Yes! We strongly encourage you to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA), which is required for many forms of aid, including scholarships and loans.  For more information, visit the fee-based programs page of the Office of Student Financial Aid Website.  Fee-based students are not eligible for tuition exemptions or university grants, including the Husky Promise program. 

Many of our students receive funding through Child Care Aware of Washington’s generous scholarships for early learning professionals. For more information, please visit the Child Care Aware of Washington website.  

More scholarship resources are available on our website.

What do ECE online classes look like?

As with a classroom course, you start and finish each online course with the rest of your cohort. All students have the same deadlines, and you will need to keep up with all presentations, readings and assignments.

The majority of learning occurs asynchronously, which means you can log on any time, day or night, to complete your coursework before weekly deadlines. You are not required to attend virtual sessions at scheduled times. When synchronous opportunities are offered – when people log in at the same time to a video call – they are either optional or are structured with many different time options for you to select, given your personal schedule. Synchronous opportunities are offered for students to connect with other students and faculty to build community, receive assignment and course content support, and present their learning to an audience.

Will I need to work or volunteer in an early childhood classroom?

Yes.  We believe early childhood professionals learn by applying knowledge through action, observation, and reflection. Working with children, other professionals, and families enriches your learning experience as you connect knowledge and practice in community contexts. Those already working with children in an early learning setting can complete community-based learning experience at their current jobs, while others can connect with early learning sites in their community. We can support you with finding a place to do your community-based learning if you do not already work or volunteer in an early learning setting.

I’m feeling nervous about completing my degree. What kind of support can I expect?

We’re here to support you from the very first questions you have about the ECE program, to your graduation, and beyond! We offer admissions advising to help you navigate the application process, and our academic adviser will be there to support you after you enroll in the program. We offer support in your community-based learning experience, and our faculty are committed to supporting you as you earn your degree, and prepare for your future.

Where can I find more information?

We host weekly Early Care & Education Online Degree information sessions via Zoom.   In this session you’ll discover more about our program, learn about the application process, and have a chance to speak with an admissions adviser. 

Education, Learning & Society FAQs 

Am I eligible to apply to the ELS minor?

Unlike our majors, you do not need to apply to the ELS minor.  To add the minor, you must currently be in a major. You will reach out to your major adviser and ask them to add the ELS minor for you.  You cannot join the minor without already being in a major outside of the College of Education.

How do I register for College of Education courses as an ELS minor?
As an ELS minor, you will have to follow specific instructions listed on your MyPlan ELS page.  If you try to register without following these steps, you will not be able to join the class.
Can I major in ECFS or ECO and also minor in ELS?
No.  Students can only major or minor in one College of Education undergraduate program

Registration FAQs 

I am not currently in a College of Education major or minor, how can I register for a College of Education course?

As a non College of Education student, you have access to some undergraduate courses that are open. Courses (or sections) that note they are only for College of Education majors/minors are off limits to nonmajors.

How do I get into a class that is full?
Sign up for NOTIFY UW to see if a spot opens up. DO NOT contact the instructor or a College of Education adviser, unless the course notes specify to reach them directly. Please read the notes for each class about enrollment.
Can I take a 500 level course?
Courses listed as 500 level and above are graduate level courses and will need instructor approval for enrollment. Very few undergraduate students have access to 500 level courses.
Can I have an add code for a course?
The College of Education does not give add codes for undergraduate courses. Please read the notes for each class about enrollment.

Teacher Education FAQs 

I want to be a special education/elementary/junior high/high school teacher –how do I do that?

In order to be a K-12 teacher in Washington state, you will need a teaching license which can be earned through numerous teacher education programs across the region. The coursework offered in ECFS, ECO, ECE, and ELS will provide a foundation for a teaching profession, but not a teaching license. Note, you will also need to complete specific prerequisites for the teacher education program that you plan to apply to. If you would like to learn more about UW’s Teacher Education Programs, please attend an information session.

Information Sessions

On-Campus Majors and Minor Information Sessions (ECFS, ECO, & ELS)

Have more questions? We are here to help! If you have questions about the our on-campus majors or minors, please attend an Undergraduate Majors and Minor Information Session or an Ask an Advisor Session. Each session is held weekly, see the College of Education calendar for upcoming dates.

You can also view a recorded session on your schedule, simply register below and the recording will be instantly available to you. 

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Online Majors Information Sessions (ECE)
Have more questions? We are here to help! If you have questions about the our online major, please attend an ECE Major Information Session or an Ask an Advisor Session. Each session is held weekly, see the College of Education calendar for upcoming dates.

You can also view a recorded session on your schedule, simply register below and the recording will be instantly available to you. 
 

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